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Former NFL Linebacker To Lead Minor-League Franchise

Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rick Razzano was a defensive force on the football field. Now, Razzano will tackle a new challenge. Razzano was recently named co-owner and head coach of the newly formed Penn-Ohio Tigers minor league professional football team, the organization announced Thursday night. The Canfield, OH based Tigers will take the field at Canfield High School this summer.
"Our goal and vision is to raise the perception of standards and credibility of minor league professional football with special emphasis on professionalism and performance," Razzano said.  This is not Razzano's first experience in minor league football. Over the past two years Razzano was instrumental in building a nationally ranked team in New Castle serving as its Head Coach and Director of Football Operations.  Razzano states there are two principles that are necessary in order to achieve a successful organization; 1)  it takes experienced football coaches to develop and market players.  2)  A Business background in order to make the right decisions necessary to achieve long term stability.  Our primary focus is to build an organization that will benefit both the players and the community.  We will give players an opportunity to develop their skills in order to keep their dream alive." Razzano said.
A New Castle, Pa native, Razzano holds the Virginia Tech University football record with 634 tackles in his collegiate career. Razzano's mark, which was set in the 1970s, remains the highest all-time total in the NCAA's Atlantic Coast Conference. But in order for any player to achieve a high level of success, Razzano said the process starts with a team's coaching staff. "The majority of players can only be developed to the level of the ability of the coaching staff. Many coaches at this level lack the coaching training which limits the development of their players. The (Penn-Ohio Tigers) have a group of highly experienced coaches who have played and coached at all levels of football," Razzano said. 
The Tiger staff also has many collegiate and pro contacts, which Razzano said will greatly assist in the marketing of their players. Among those individuals include: Buffalo Bills head coach, Dick Jauron; Cincinnati Bengals head coach, Marvin Lewis; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, Jon Gruden; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive and defensive coordinators Bruce Arians and Dick Lebeau, respectively; University of Kansas head coach Mark Mangino; University of Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart; Notre Dame University assistant head coach, John Latina, and David Razzano, a long-time N.F.L. Scout currently working with The Arizona Cardinals.
Razzano said he is excited to continue the region's storied football history. "We are extremely excited about being in this area because of the great football tradition and the abundance of talented players. The Penn-Ohio Tigers are committed to providing quality value entertainment, regional economic benefits and assistance with charitable organizations.  The Tigers will also award annual scholarships to deserving Canfield High School Seniors who will be attending a college or university," Razzano said.
Razzano also said this team wouldn't be possible without the support of Canfield High School administrators and school board members.  "We want to especially thank School Board President Brian Kesner, Superintendent Dante Zambrini, and Athletic Director Greg Cooper for their cooperation in this process."  Razzano stated he had a conversation with Mr. Kesner whereby he expressed great enthusiasm for bringing The Penn-Ohio Tigers to Canfield. Razzano also said Superintendant Dante Zambrini is a true professional and the Canfield School District is very fortunate to have a leader of his caliber.
The Tigers are playing in the Grassroots Professional Football League(GPFL) which is made up of teams from Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. The league is committed to representing professional standards that relate to appearance, attitude, behavior and level of talent.  Razzano said we are excited about the caliber organizations in the GPFL, and thrilled for our players and fans about the opportunity to participate in a regional league playoff format,  regionally based All-Star Game, and the nations largest  minor-league professional football playoff system.  This national playoff format is sponsored by The Minor League Football Association which includes 24 leagues throughout the country representing 160 teams that are either league champions or runner-ups.
The Tigers' inaugural regular season home opener kicks off Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m. at Canfield High School against the perennial national powerhouse Pittsburgh Colts. All Canfield High School students and staff will be admitted FREE to all home games upon presenting a school identification card. All other tickets will be sold at the gate for $5 per person. Season Passes will be made available for only $20 each, The Penn-Ohio Tigers are committed to the goal of providing family value entertainment.
The Tigers are conducting a player Combine that is free of charge to all interested players on Saturday April 26 at 8 p.m.  The location is at the Creekside Sports Golf Dome, located at 1300 North State St. Girard, Ohio 44420.  All players interested in attending should contact Rick Razzano via email at RRazz51@aol.com or by phone at 513-706-7687.

Student Art Celebrations at the Art Outreach Gallery

On Friday, May 2, 2008, the Art Outreach Gallery at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, Ohio, will kick off the May School Art Show featuring our local talented young artists. The Gallery will feature art work by Kindergarten through 12th grade students' from Lakeview School District, Trumbull Career and Technical Center, Howland 8th graders, Youngstown Alpha School of Excellence for Boys and The Rich Center for Autism. The Gallery will also feature entries from The Trumbull County Bar Association Free Hand Drawing Contest. The show is scheduled May 2-18.
Below are the dates and times for the school receptions and performances:
Friday, May 2-3-6 p.m. - Opening Reception Trumbull Career and Technical Center
Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m. Warren Jefferson and McGuffey Middle School Drama Club will perform Annie at the Performing Arts Center
Saturday, May 3-4-7 p.m. Lakeview School Art Reception
Saturday, May 10 -6-8 p.m. Acoustics at the Gallery by Adam Rogers and others
Saturday, May 10-4-7 p.m. Howland Middle School Art Reception
Friday, May 16-Noon-The Liberty High School Jazz Ensemble at the Performing Arts Center
Friday, May 16-6 p.m.-Robotics Performance by Harding Delphi E.L.I.T.E. in Mall Center Court
The following art educators are exhibiting their students' art work in the show:
Jeff Piper from Lakeview High School, Joe Trimbur from Lakeview Middle School, Jennifer Welshhans from Cortland Elementary, Mike Labiento from Bazetta Elementary, Beth Pritchard from Howland Middle School, Judy Szabo from Youngstown Alpha School of Excellence for Boys, Nancy Jones from TCTC Interior Design, Rey Colazo from TCTC Graphic Communication
David White from TCTC Architectural Drafting
Patti Krivosh and Melissa Sydlowski from TCTC Senior Project Coordinators, John Bagnola from TCTC Interactive Multi-Media, Shirley Hoffmeister from TCTC Early Childhood Education
Jill Holod-Dunbar from The Rich Center for Autism
This special showcase of students work is made possible by the partnership between the art educators from the participating schools, the Warren Junior Women's League/GFWC and the Eastwood Mall. The Art Outreach Gallery is an art appreciation initiative and community development project. Living in a "knowledge based economy" it is more important than ever to bring creativity out of everyone, and especially our children. Exposure to the arts in a public venue such as the mall provides an opportunity to experience a wide range of creative local talents and creates interest in the arts for the young.
The gallery is located across from American Eagle Outfitters, along the concourse between Macy's and JC Penney's. Gallery hours are Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday 1-9 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The Performing Art Center is located across from Spencer Gifts, along the concourse between Macy's and Dillard's. The receptions and performances are free and open to the public.

Older Ohioans Can Change the State and the World Through
Volunteerism

Older Ohioans have been a staple of volunteer programs throughout the state for decades, but their sheer numbers and drive for civic engagement today position them to be at the center of social change in their communities, the state and the world. The Ohio Department of Aging proudly supports National Volunteer Week, April 27 through May 3, 2008, and encourages Ohioans of all ages, but especially our older neighbors, to become and stay engaged with a variety of volunteer programs. The 2008 national theme is "Volunteer to Change the World."
"Today's seniors are healthier, more active and better educated than ever before, and they expect and want to remain active past traditional retirement age. For some this means staying in the workplace, but for many it means volunteering their time and talents to a worthy cause," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "With an estimated 12,000 residents turning 60 each month, Ohio stands to benefit greatly from the dedication and altruism of this generation."
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, older Americans donate more than 350,000 hours of their time each year - this includes the work of an estimated 19,000 older Ohioans. They support education, economic development, health care and senior services in their communities. With an increase in the number of available volunteers, many social programs will be able to expand their reach and benefit more people.
The Department of Aging partners with other state entities to provide two unique opportunities for older volunteers.
Volunteer Ombudsman Associate Program-Volunteers establish a regular presence in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities and provide information about resident rights, quality of care, and quality of life to residents and family members.
Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program-Volunteers are trained to provide free information and health insurance services to people in Ohio covered by Medicare.
The department partners with the Corporation for National and Community Service to provide three additional volunteer programs:
Retired Senior Volunteer Program-Volunteers contribute to a variety of nonprofit organizations benefiting children, the elderly and community improvement, based on the individual's interests and skills.
Foster Grandparent Program-Volunteers offer emotional support to children who are victims of abuse and neglect, tutor children who lag behind in reading, mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers and care for infants and children with disabilities and severe illnesses.
Senior Companion Program-Volunteers reach out to frail older adults who need extra assistance to live independently in their own homes or communities.
The department also supports the Ohio Citizen Corps, a part of the Ohio Homeland Security Task Force that uses volunteers to support local crime prevention and emergency response systems. Learn about these opportunities and more at the Ohio Department of Aging's Web site: www.goldenbuckeye.com/families/volunteer.html.
Many local senior centers or community action agencies also welcome volunteers for a variety of programs. Contact your area agency on aging for more information about what is available where you live. Call 1-866-243-5678 to be connected to the agency serving your community.

Shenango Valley Chorale
celebrates its 35th anniversary

Shenango Valley Chorale, directed by Edgar S. Groves, will celebrate its 35th year as a community chorus by performing two spring concerts titled "Musical Memories."
Groves, who has been musical director and conductor since 1995, and members of the chorale put together the program by selecting their favorite songs from past programs.
Topping the chorale's favorite song list are, "The Last Words of David" by Randall Thompson; "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" a Southern Folk song; "Lacrymosa" by Mozart; "Dirait-on" by Morten Lauridson" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" arranged by Wilhousky.
The concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at First United Methodist Church, 237 W. Silver St., Sharon, Pa., and 2:30 p.m Sunday, May 4 at Hickory High School auditorium, North Hermitage Road, , Hermitage, Pa.
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for students (9th to 12th grade), and children free. Call 724-342-0793 for more information. Tickets can be purchased at the door.